Question #7: "Why should I vote for you?"

On February 23rd, 2008 the Village Board held their Strategic Planning Session for Caledonia. The following are the strategic planning priorities of my opponent, Wendy McCalvy:

"I want to preface my concerns with the comment that I am not uninterested in other concerns that have been mentioned by other board members, but I am stressing concerns that may not be mentioned by anyone else and are of great concern to me.

1. Plan for a future highway department replacement building

2. Integration of a)ecologically-based drainage projects with b) open space
preservation in subdivisions and c) creation of more park and recreational trail
corridors. To accomplish this I recommend:
* The Village hold the open space easements on new subdivisions
* A Village representative (consultant) go on original walk of land with engineer
and subdivider to cooridinate between developer and drainage commission how to
plan meaningful open space and natural drainage techniques and a stewardship
plan that allows coorination.
* Same representative attend Open Space committee meetings so that continuity
from the front end to the finished product is achieved.
* When development picks up, I would hope fees from developers could support a
Village employee who would also be a grant write

3. Increase Park space and passive recreational trail space by the methods below:
* Identify a Village employee or consultant who can apply for grants to
accomplish much of what follows
* Have consultant incorporate together elements from Parks Plan, existing parks,
connecting waterways, woods and other natural features to create a map of
desired parks sites and recreational corridors
* Add these features to Village Map
* Change Conservation Subdivision Ordinance to require developers to donate areas
appearing on this Village Map. These areas will be open to the general public,
but count toward required open space in the subdivision.
* Change zoning ordinance to create separate category for trails so that:
a. There is no "frontage" requirement (this will not be a buildable lot)
b. The split does not require a CSM
c. The division will not count as one of allowed land "splits" triggering
possible minor subdivision costs like a deposit with the Village until it
reviews the project (Review would be unnessary. No building will take
place)

4. Look for areas where business can be encouraged where sewer and water already
exist.

5. Contract for DNR-required stormwater public information and education program.
(See handout for sample offering.) Our permit renews in 2008 and, to receive our
renewal, we must tell DNR what the Village plans to do to meet this requirement."

Question #7: "Why should I vote for you?"

Answer:

"This year Caledonia had to cut staff to balance the budget, and there's a projected shortfall for next year. Knowing that, it is my opinion that Ms. McCalvy has lost sight of her role as Village Trustee, is out of touch with much of her community, and has most of her PRIORITIES mixed up.

I believe that you should vote for me because I understand that the job of Trustee is: to maintain a quality level of services for residents; to ensure that infrastructure needs are met; to help Caledonia become a more financially stable community while working to keep taxes low. Those are MY PRIORITIES!"

Question #6: "Why are you running?"

Answer:

"It is an important time for Caledonia as we are trying to define ourselves and determine how we will grow as a community. As practically a lifelong resident of Caledonia, I would love to be heavily involved in that process. I am running because my community is my passion. I am interested in all of the aspects that encompass my community, and I'm very excited at the prospect of serving my community on the Village Board."

Question #5: Are you running because you want Caledonia to secede from Unified?

The Answer:

"No."

It is true that I circulated an informal petition asking the Village Board to move forward with a feasibility study regarding our schools.

I want to be very clear here...This petition has always been about the people having a voice.

The subject of Caledonia leaving Racine Unified comes up every so many years. When the subject recently resurfaced, many of us were hoping for some answers. We wanted facts, not assumptions. But when the idea of holding a referendum to gauge the people's interest in this matter was terminated by the Village Board, I felt like the people were shut out. So, I collected 500 signatures and presented them to the Village Board. The Village Board in turn, voted to move forward with this study.

“ We need to know the answers ... that’s what the people are saying,” resident Kathy Burton said. “There is a want for this study to happen. Let’s do this study and figure this out.” From Journal-Times 10-24-07

When the results of this feasibility study come back (and let me stress, this study will only give us financial information) I understand the Village will hold public hearings to disclose the results of the study and determine how to proceed. IF the study results appear favorable, the good PEOPLE OF CALEDONIA, not the elected officials, should be allowed to determine, via a referendum, if we will take the next step to forming an independent school district. If I am elected, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the PEOPLE make this decision, not elected officials, and I will support the People's decision 100%!

In the event that it is NOT feasible for Caledonia to move forward with a school district, then the subject will be "put to bed" for the foreseeable future. Caledonia then needs to actively collaborate with Racine Unified to help to improve the schools for our Caledonia kids (which they should be doing regardless).

The bottom line here is that: "One way or another, the children and taxpayers are entitled to good schools. Good schools attract good development. Good development makes for a sustainable, quality community - which is my goal for Caledonia."